Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Second Round of Women in the Digital Economy Fund

Women in the Digital Economy FundAn estimated 1.1 billion women in low- and middle-income households lack access to mobile internet. In response, the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF), a program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has committed to improving women’s access to digital technologies and teaching digital literacy strategies.

Launched in March 2023, the first round of WiDEF initiatives focused on funding local organizations to support women in nearby communities on a more personal level. The newly released second round is aimed at the private sector. The gender digital divide significantly hampers global economic progress, limiting an entire market of consumers and producers due to longstanding gender inequality.

Establishment of the Women in the Digital Economy Fund

Though WiCEF is a relatively new program, announced less than two years ago, it has already shown significant success in advancing digital education at both individual and community levels. USAID has committed more than $50 million in funding as part of its advocacy for gender equality, while the Gates Foundation has added $10 million to support the initiative. As part of its budget, WiCEF ensures that more than half of its funding is dedicated to improving digital opportunities in Africa, where some of the world’s largest mobile internet gender gaps exist.

With a focus on addressing gender disparities, WiCEF continuously researches the best ways to introduce gender-equitable digital solutions, prioritizing women-led and women-oriented innovations and products. Each selected candidate receives between $50,000 and $150,000 in digital support.

Overarching Goals and Initiatives

USAID highlights five core outcomes of its WiCEF program:

  1. Access and Affordability: Ensuring digital devices and internet-enabled services are affordable, sustainable and accessible for diverse communities of women.
  2. Relevant Products and Tools: Designing and providing women access to digital products and tools, including smartphones and other mobile technologies, that can contribute to income-generation purposes
  3. Literacy and Skills: Enhancing women’s digital skills and literacy to help them participate meaningfully in the digital economy and other digital spaces.
  4. Safety and Security: Addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence while promoting digital user protection.
  5. Data and Insights: Leveraging sex-disaggregated data to identify social barriers that cause disparities in technology use and to inform the development of more gender-equitable programs.

Consequences of the Gender Digital Divide

Samantha Power, Administrator of USAID, highlighted that the gender digital divide “hinders developmental progress… ingraining existing inequities into the fabric of societies of the future,” emphasizing the deepening of gender inequalities in the digital age. Access to digital technologies, along with the tools to navigate them, has become a privilege many women are denied, further exacerbating economic, political and social disparities. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) estimates that there are approximately 244 million more men than women using the Internet as of 2023, a statistic that will only increase if not addressed adequately in the following years.

The lack of digital education for women has additionally inhibited economic growth, specifically for developing nations, with the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership approximating that countries have lost more than $1 trillion in gross domestic product (GDP) from female exclusion in the digital world. Closing the gender digital divide—the overarching goal uptaken by WiCEF—will deliver around $700 billion in GDP growth while generating up to 64 million new jobs for women in the next five years.

Opening of Second Round of Applicants

The opening of the second round of applicants for WiCEF will only further the work of USAID and the Gates Foundation on an economic scale, now expanding technical assistance into private sector enterprises. Businesses across developing nations aiming to close the gender digital divide will now have access to tools for effective research and evaluation, with data-driven feedback to assess their usage of products among women. Additionally, WiCEF provides education on user design, product adaptation and business modeling, strengthening the foundation of these companies and the women impacted by them.

– Eileen Lincoln

Eileen is based in Oakton, VA, USAs and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Organizations Tackling Food Insecurity in Chad

Food Insecurity in ChadChad, a landlocked country in central Africa, faces some of the highest levels of food insecurity and starvation globally. Approximately 42% of its population lives below the poverty line. With a score of roughly 35 on the 2023 Global Hunger Index, Chad has a severe hunger level. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has disrupted trade, driven up food prices and led to below-average market supplies, contributing significantly to the severe starvation in Chad. 

In addition to the extreme poverty faced by its residents, more than 600,000 refugees seeking shelter and security have entered Chad. Already hosting more than one million refugees, the country continues to grapple with widespread hunger and food insecurity despite the substantial refugee influx. However, several organizations are actively working to tackle food insecurity in Chad.

Action Against Hunger

This organization has already assisted more than 520,000 people, yet with a staggering 5.5 million people in need in Chad, many continue to struggle with food insecurity. While Action Against Hunger (AGA) provides food to vulnerable populations, the ready-made supplies are only a temporary solution. To address this issue more sustainably, AGA is teaching communities in Chad how to grow their own crops and manage limited rainfall to enhance local food production.

Concern Worldwide

Concern Worldwide has addressed food insecurity in Chad by implementing programs designed to enhance livelihoods. These initiatives provide participants the tools to achieve sustainable living, acquire new skills, improve crop yields and nutritional quality and generate income through small businesses.

Concern Worldwide’s efforts to build sustainable livelihoods in Chad have reached 62,000 people. The organization has also provided free health services, improved nutritional support and access to clean and safe drinking water to approximately 133,000 vulnerable individuals and people with disabilities.

Additionally, Concern Worldwide launched the Concerted and Inclusive Development in the Lake Province (DECILAC), a pioneering project supported by Facilité G5 Sahel. This project focuses on inclusively investing in food security, strengthening local value chains, enhancing education and mitigating food insecurity in the Lac province.

The World Food Programme

The World Food Programme (WFP) plans to assist 2.5 million people across Chad, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and other vulnerable groups. Between June and August 2024, WFP aims to reach more than one million individuals with food, cash and nutritional advice. The organization also focuses on pregnant and breastfeeding mothers facing food insecurity by providing malnutrition treatments and supporting school children with nutritious meals to help combat hunger and promote education.

Final Note

While hunger rates in Chad are high, the efforts of organizations like WFP and Concern Worldwide offer hope for a brighter future. With continued support and intervention, Chad can work toward overcoming these challenges, enabling its people to thrive within their communities and shift from merely surviving to truly living.

– Sadie Virgin

Sadie is based in Newport, Wales, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Tech Brand Helps Extend the Reach of Education in Nigeria

Tech Brand Helps Extend the Reach of Education in NigeriaNigeria is Africa’s most populous country, with an estimated population of 230 million people as of 2024, 60% under the age of 25 and 44% younger than 15. It has the fastest-growing population among the world’s 10 most populous countries. Despite its large demographic, Nigeria’s literacy rate stands at only 77.62% as of 2021. Additionally, the country’s poverty rate was estimated at 38.9% in 2023, making it home to the world’s second-largest population living in poverty, following India. These statistics underscore the critical need to enhance access to and the quality of education in Nigeria. Improving literacy rates is vital not only for reducing poverty but also for aligning with the United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on quality education.

The NLP and Its Partnership with TECNO

In 2022, Nigeria launched its Learning Passport program to address low literacy rates and the educational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to support Sustainable Development Goal 4. The Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) is an online e-learning platform that provides children with access to curriculum-aligned content in local languages. It is available anytime and anywhere, featuring content from Nigeria’s national curriculum along with global educational resources. The platform, which aligns with UNICEF’s global education strategy, offers both online and offline content to enhance accessibility for children, especially those in remote or underserved areas with limited internet access.

As of July 2024, the technology brand TECNO has partnered with UNICEF Nigeria to further develop the NLP. Currently, the NLP operates in 19 of Nigeria’s 36 states, ranking it second among countries participating in the U.N.’s broader “Learning Passport” program. This partnership with TECNO aims to expand both the availability and reach of online and offline content, making the program more accessible throughout the country and extending it to additional states.

Educational Opportunities as a Solution to Poverty

The importance and positive impact of TECNO’s partnership with UNICEF Nigeria and its support of the NLP can be highlighted by the inextricable relationship between education and poverty. Adequate education enhances literacy, cognitive and social skills, potentially providing qualifications that lead to better job opportunities, thus helping lift individuals out of poverty. Additionally, poverty itself can restrict access to consistent, quality education. For instance, those in poverty might lack the financial resources needed for full-time education, including transportation to schools or the ability to afford necessary equipment and resources. necessary equipment and resources.

Extreme poverty often forces individuals to prioritize earning an income over education just to survive. Research conducted by UNESCO underscores the significant role education plays in alleviating poverty. A study found that completing secondary school could more than halve global poverty and achieving basic literacy for all students could help nearly 171 million people escape extreme poverty. These findings highlight the profound and positive impact that improved education quality and access can have on reducing poverty both in Nigeria and worldwide.

Education as a Catalyst for Economic Growth

Quality education is a significant driver of economic growth, as research from Stanford and Ludwig Maximillian Universities reveals that from 1960 to 2000, 75% of global GDP growth was linked to improved math and science skills. Emphasizing education is a crucial strategy for combating poverty, as it enhances individuals’ prospects for securing stable economic futures when they enter the workforce. Jack Guo, General Manager of TECNO, supports this view, stating, “Investing in education is an effective strategy for breaking the inter-generational transmission of poverty and contributing to social and economic development.”

The Importance of the NLP and TECNO’s Partnership

This direct link between enhanced access to and quality of education underscores the significance of the NLP program and its beneficial impact on education in Nigeria, which will consequently help reduce poverty rates over time. Therefore, the anticipated growth of the program, stemming from TECNO’s partnership with UNICEF Nigeria, will further amplify the NLP program’s positive effects on education and poverty rates as beneficiaries mature and engage actively in the country’s economy.

TECNO’s partnership with UNICEF Nigeria and its support of the NLP bring Nigeria one step closer to making education accessible to all children, enhancing their prospects and breaking the cycle of inter-generational poverty. The ongoing support and development of the NLP exemplify Nigeria’s continuous efforts to tackle poverty within its borders.

Looking Ahead

The partnership between TECNO and UNICEF Nigeria aims to expand the reach of the NLP, enhancing educational access for millions of children across the country. By providing curriculum-aligned content both online and offline, this initiative directly addresses the educational challenges exacerbated by poverty. As the program grows, it is expected to play a vital role in improving literacy rates and reducing poverty, ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s economic and social development.

– Archie Day

Archie is based in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Organizations Improving Lives in Georgia

5 Organizations Improving Lives in GeorgiaGeorgia, straddling Eastern Europe and Western Asia, boasts a rich history and cultural heritage but faces substantial socio-economic challenges. The country struggles with persistent poverty, as many families barely meet basic needs due to scarce economic opportunities. High unemployment, especially among young people, perpetuates poverty and curtails opportunities for future generations. In rural areas, access to quality health care is severely limited by the scarcity of medical facilities and professionals. Although education is highly valued, it often receives insufficient funding, leading to a lack of resources and support for students and teachers. Here are five organizations improving lives in Georgia by providing essential services, fostering economic growth and improving living conditions.

The United Nations Children’s Fund Georgia

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Georgia focuses on improving the lives of children and their families through various programs in health, education and child protection. The organization’s initiatives include comprehensive immunization campaigns to combat preventable diseases, early childhood development programs that foster healthy growth and learning from a young age and efforts to ensure access to quality education for all children. UNICEF’s targeted interventions have not only significantly reduced child mortality rates but also led to improved educational outcomes, such as higher school enrollment and literacy rates, for thousands of children across the country.

Caritas Georgia

Caritas Georgia, part of the global Caritas network, provides humanitarian assistance and social services to vulnerable populations, including those affected by poverty and social exclusion. Its programs encompass health care services such as medical check-ups and emergency treatment, social inclusion projects that promote community integration and specialized support for the elderly and disabled. By operating multiple centers that offer medical care, vocational training and food assistance, Caritas Georgia helps individuals and families overcome adversity, improve their quality of life and achieve long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

World Vision Georgia

World Vision Georgia is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, through targeted interventions in education, child protection and economic development. The organization’s community-based programs not only advocate for child rights but also provide essential educational support, such as school supplies and scholarships and empower families with economic opportunities like microloans and job training. These ongoing efforts foster resilience and self-sufficiency among families, enabling them to build a better future for their children and improve overall community well-being.

Georgia Red Cross Society

The Georgia Red Cross Society is committed to delivering emergency response, health services and support to vulnerable groups across the country. The organization’s activities include disaster preparedness and response initiatives that equip communities to handle natural and man-made emergencies, first aid training to enhance public safety and social assistance programs that address immediate needs such as food and shelter. By playing a critical role in disaster management and community resilience, the organization ensures that those in need receive timely and effective support, helping to mitigate the impact of crises on affected populations.

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) focuses on environmental protection and sustainable development in the South Caucasus region, addressing pressing environmental challenges through a variety of initiatives. Its work includes reforestation projects that restore degraded landscapes and improve air quality, sustainable waste management practices that reduce pollution and promote recycling and environmental education programs that raise awareness about conservation issues. By advocating for eco-friendly practices and engaging communities in environmental stewardship, CENN contributes to the preservation of Georgia’s natural resources and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods for future generations.

Looking Ahead

These organizations and many more exemplify the power of dedicated, compassionate interventions in improving lives and communities in Georgia. Through their diverse programs and unwavering commitment, they address critical needs such as health care, education, economic development and environmental protection, fostering sustainable development and creating a brighter and more inclusive future for all Georgians.

– Benjamin DeMarais

Benjamin is based in Rogers, MN, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Reduced Poverty in the Philippines

Poverty in the PhilippinesIn July 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority released the official poverty statistics showing that the 2023 poverty rate stood at 15.5%. In 2021, the poverty in the Philippines stood at 18.1%. This 2.6% drop has surpassed the target from the Philippine Development Plan and means that 2.45 million Filipinos are no longer living in poverty. Also since 2021, there has been a significant fall in the family poverty incidence. In 2021, the rate was 13.2%, and in 2023, the rate fell to 10.9%. This means that there are now 3 million families out of poverty.

Poverty in the Philippines: Single-Digit by 2028

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Junior has a goal to reduce poverty in the Philippines to a single-digit rate by 2028. With the significant drop from 2021 to 2023, it seems like that goal may be possible. The Philippines has one of the best-performing economies in Asia, with its GDP growth rate averaging 5.5%. Its economic growth has been driven by the domestic domain and the expansion of some major sectors. This is helping provide secure and well-paying jobs to Filipinos.

The Philippines government has also implemented a targeted cash transfer program to help alleviate poverty. This program assists poor households, giving them cash grants for six months, with 12.4 million households qualifying for the program. With the fuel prices rising, the government has also started a fuel subsidy program. This program provides financial assistance to jeepney drivers as well as taxis, shuttle buses, minibuses, etc. There are currently 377,443 beneficiaries of the subsidy. There is also a fuel discount program, which offers a discount on fuel to fishermen and farmers.

Social Protection Floor

Although the inflation rate hit a 22-month low of 3.9% in December 2023, inflation is still high in the Philippines, according to the Philippine News Agency (PNA). To help keep prices stable, Executive Order 50 was signed, which reduced tariffs on key agricultural products. These products include corn, pork and rice. Keeping prices stable on these commodities helps ensure that Filipinos can afford them.

President Marcos approved a Social Protection Floor (SPF) that will protect and guarantee basic social security. The SPF will protect the vulnerable against poverty in the Philippines. It will help ensure that everyone has access to basic health care and social services.

One of the goals of SPF is universal health care for the Philippines. There is also a focus on children and ensuring that they are meeting their nutritional needs. Part of the SPF includes initiatives such as emergency employment, social insurance coverage, employee compensation benefits for overseas workers and integrated health services for older persons.

Walang Gutom 2027

The government also implemented the Walang Gutom 2027 Food Stamp Program to help alleviate poverty in the Philippines. This initiative aims to feed 1 million food-poor families by 2027. Initially, the food stamp program was rolled out to 2,300 households and now has reached 300,000 households. The food stamp program reduces hunger by providing monetary-based assistance in the form of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. The ultimate goal is to reduce the incidence of malnutrition and hunger. For families to be a part of the program, they must attend a nutrition education program.

With more opportunities for jobs, government assistance programs to help alleviate the burden of costs of essentials such as food and fuel, better access to health care and an active effort by the Philippine government to reduce poverty, poverty in the Philippines has been reduced significantly since 2021.

– Rachel Padden

Rachel is based in Baltimore, MD, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Corporations Working with WaterAid

Corporations Working with WaterAidWater scarcity is one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, impacting more than 2 billion people worldwide. In response, various corporations have stepped up to support initiatives that address this critical issue. Among them, PepsiCo, Hogan Lovells, Belu, Boeing and Google are notable for their impactful partnerships with WaterAid, a leading organization dedicated to improving access to clean water and sanitation in developing countries. This is a closer look at how these corporations working with WaterAid are making a difference.

PepsiCo

PepsiCo, one of the corporations working with WaterAid, is a global leader in the beverage and food industry and focuses on water stewardship as part of its sustainability strategy. The company recognizes the crucial role water plays in its operations. Partnering with WaterAid, PepsiCo has directed its efforts towards improving water access in communities where the company operates. The partnership between WaterAid and PepsiCo aims to achieve three pillars: “empowering women, building resistance and protecting children.”

PepsiCo and WaterAid’s “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Improvement project” provided clean water and toilets to more than 700 students in Lagos, Nigeria. Working with the Lagos state government, PepsiCo and WaterAid helped commission toilets and handwashing stations for schoolchildren, hoping to reach more than 170,000 people in three years.

Hogan Lovells

Hogan Lovells, an American-British law firm, brings a unique perspective to its partnership with WaterAid through its legal expertise and advocacy efforts. Partnering with WaterAid in August 2023, Hogan Lovells provides pro bono legal advice, volunteer support and unique fundraising and awareness initiatives to assist WaterAid’s mission in combating water scarcity. 

This partnership enables WaterAid to navigate complex legal landscapes and secure necessary resources and permissions for its initiatives. Hogan Lovells’ involvement goes beyond legal assistance. The firm also engages in fundraising efforts and awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of water access and sanitation. By leveraging its legal knowledge and network, Hogan Lovells amplifies WaterAid’s mission and supports its global impact.

Belu

Belu, a British bottled water company, is a prime example of how corporations can integrate sustainability into their core operations. It has committed to a unique partnership with WaterAid, channelling profits from its bottled water sales directly to the organization. This approach not only supports WaterAid’s projects but also raises awareness about the importance of clean water and sustainability.

Belu’s commitment to WaterAid entails giving 100% of its net profits to the latter organization. According to the Belu’s website, it has given WaterAid approximately £5.8 million since their 2011 partnership, aiding the latter corporation’s goal of providing clean water across 27 countries.

Boeing

As a global aerospace leader, Boeing brings its engineering prowess and innovation to its partnership with WaterAid. The company supports WaterAid through funding, contributing to projects such as the WASH Project, that tackle water scarcity and improve sanitation in underserved communities. Boeing’s involvement often includes leveraging its technological capabilities to develop sustainable solutions for water access and management.

A WASH project that exemplifies Boeing and WaterAid’s partnership is their 2022 workshop in Ethiopia’s Gimbichu District. Only 52% of Ethiopians have access to clean water and are also susceptible to long droughts and famines. With Boeing and WaterAid’s planned WASH project, the two corporations devised an objective to increase access to clean water, hygiene facilities and sanitation in the Gimbichu community. The WASH project targeted areas such as schools and health care facilities, aggregating a total of approximately 25,000 Ethiopians.

Google

Google collaborates with WaterAid to enhance the effectiveness of water and sanitation projects to help many impoverished regions, such as Hyderabad, India. It helped build 25 handwashing stations at local schools and health care facilities, along with 21 additional water projects in the region. This collaboration underscores the transformative potential of technology and corporations in addressing complex global challenges.

Conclusion

The partnerships between PepsiCo, Hogan Lovells, Belu, Boeing and Google with WaterAid exemplify the diverse ways corporations can contribute to solving global water issues. Each company brings unique strengths to the table, from financial support and legal expertise to technological innovation and sustainable practices. By working together with WaterAid, these corporations advance their own sustainability goals. Furthermore, they play a crucial role in improving water access and sanitation for millions of people worldwide.

These collaborations are a testament to the power of cross-sector partnerships in addressing pressing global challenges. As water scarcity continues to affect communities around the world, the efforts of these corporations working with WaterAid offer a beacon of hope.

– Christian Core

Christian is based in Princeville, HI, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3 Initiatives Improving India’s Literacy Rate

3 Initiatives Improving India’s Literacy Rate India’s literacy rate has seen significant improvement in recent years, reducing the correlation between poverty and illiteracy. In 1981, the overall literacy rate stood at 40.67%. In a study ending in 2022, around 40 years later, it had risen to 76.32%. Additionally, studies reveal that illiterate people in the later statistics are mostly elderly people, indicating that illiteracy among younger generations has been largely eradicated. These encouraging statistics result from multiple literacy initiatives proposed by the Indian government. Here are three programs that have made a notable difference.

National Literacy Mission

The Government of India founded the National Literacy Mission in 1988. The initiative focuses on two main projects: The total and post-literacy programs. The Total Literacy Program focuses on teaching adults basic literacy. The second program was implemented afterward and is aimed at neo-literates. This means people who have picked up literacy skills in an informal setting later in life. The Continuing Education Program is the Mission’s third program. It provides spaces such as reading rooms and libraries for the members of the programs.

The National Literacy Mission has covered more than 597 districts and when including all three programs, the NLM has covered 150 million neo-literates. Additionally, 125.6 million people have been made literate through this program. Gender disparity is another crucial aspect of this program, as the initiative comprises 60% female to 40% male counterparts. There is also a focus on working with India’s most underprivileged, working with 23% of learners from the Scheduled castes and 12% belonging to the Scheduled tribes. This project is ongoing, but significant progress has been made, with a jump from 52.21% literacy in 1991 to 65.37% in 2001. 

Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat

Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat (PBBB) is a literacy initiative that was founded in 2014. It focuses on children within government schools, working with them to solidify their reading and writing skills to set them up for higher education. The program also works with teachers to help train and mentor them within the program. PBBB also aims to make reading a joyful and natural skill for children. The lessons are taught in their mother tongue and the Ministry of Education implements initiatives like the ‘100-Day Reading Challenge’ launched in 2022, which ensures that children are supplied with reading material in their native language. The program is made up of two components: system and classroom. This means emphasizing sufficient teacher training and learning material combined with the more intangible effort of having a supportive learning environment.

The Central Government has supplied specialized bridge material for tribal populations, free textbooks, supplementary reading and teacher training. The program aims to create a supportive and informed group of teachers and administrators who can help support their children as they progress through their education. Although PBBB is focused on early learning, the skills the students learn are made to be lasting and hugely foundational. 

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) was created in 2015 by the Prime Minister. It focuses on women’s empowerment, with the name meaning “save the girl child, educate the girl child.” The initiative is trying to shift how society views women and girls. Additionally, it strengthens their education and gives them a place in the world further than the home. The program has launched many successful initiatives. BBBP has implemented training programs for district-level officers and frontline workers. Some other notable progress is the organization of street plays in villages and markets in Pithoragarh that focus on the struggles that girls face in their lifetime, for example, abortion. The plays generate awareness of these issues in a more interactive sense than classes or pamphlets.

Additionally, the ‘Udaan – Sapneya Di Duniya De Rubaru’ scheme in the Mansa district allows girls to spend the day with a person of their desired profession (doctor, lawyer, etc). This program has been hugely successful, with the participation of more than 70 girls. The program also offers financial incentives and awards for girls in school. It creates guidelines and protocols to make schools safe and supportive for them. These are only a few examples of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’s initiatives and this program only continues to support and empower women. Although this program is not strictly centered on India’s literacy rate, it creates an important precedent for future education and empowerment of women. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao allows women to grow beyond anything expected by creating supportive environments and opportunities for education and awareness. 

Looking Ahead

These three initiatives have helped improve India’s literacy rate and empower underprivileged groups. These ongoing initiatives focus on adult and child literacy and emphasize gender equality and supportive educational environments. The National Literacy Mission has made significant strides in adult education. Furthermore, Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat has laid a strong foundation for early childhood literacy. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao continues to empower and educate girls, changing societal attitudes. Together, these programs pave the way for India’s more literate society.

– Sofia Hattiangadi

Sofia is based in New York City, NY, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Refugee-Led Innovation Fund: UNHCR Empowering Communities

Refugee-Led Innovation FundUNHCR has launched a groundbreaking initiative to empower refugees and displaced persons: the Refugee-Led Innovation Fund. The fund offers financial support, mentorship and technical expertise to organizations whose leaders are individuals with firsthand experience of forced displacement. Fostering innovation and community leadership plays a crucial role in combating poverty and building resilient communities.

At its core, the Refugee-Led Innovation Fund is a recognition of the untapped potential within refugee populations. It challenges the traditional humanitarian aid model and places refugees at the forefront of problem-solving. The fund provides a platform for individuals to identify pressing community needs. Furthermore, it encourages the development of innovative solutions that directly address their challenges.

Refugee-Led Innovation Fund

One of the primary objectives of this fund is to empower refugee communities. These communities often face significant challenges in accessing resources and funding, which can limit their ability to create lasting positive change. This fund provides up to $45,000 in financial support, along with mentorship, technical expertise, and networking opportunities.

This fund is unique in its approach. It prioritizes organizations led by people with lived experience of forced displacement, including refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons and stateless individuals, according to FundsForNGOs. The fund focuses on those who have firsthand experience of these challenges, to ensure that solutions are driven from the people who understand the needs of their communities best.

The fund places a special emphasis on supporting underrepresented groups, women, people with disabilities, and Indigenous populations. These groups often face additional layers of marginalization, making it even more difficult for them to access traditional forms of funding and support. The UNHCR’s Refugee-Led Innovation Fund not only provides financial resources but also helps these groups build their organizational capacity, ensuring that their voices are heard and their initiatives can thrive.

Application Process and Criteria

The application process for the fund is designed to be accessible and supportive. It involves two stages: an initial expression of interest, followed by a full proposal for shortlisted organizations. The criteria for assessment include innovation, impact, engagement, and the feasibility of implementation.

This process ensures that only the most promising and impactful projects receive funding, while also providing support to applicants throughout the process. This helps to level the playing field, allowing smaller or less established organizations to compete on equal footing with larger, more established ones.

These four organizations from 2024 are prime examples of how community-driven innovation drives meaningful change in the fight against poverty

Bridging Gaps and Afri-Youth Network – Uganda

In Uganda’s Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, a lack of access to financial markets, entrepreneurship education and banking systems hinders refugees from starting social enterprises and becoming self-sufficient. This perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality. The Bridging Gaps and Afri-Youth Network addresses this challenge by providing entrepreneurship training, micro-loans and long-term coaching. Its work focuses on increasing female participation, empowering up to 60 refugee entrepreneurs to break free from poverty and create sustainable income sources for their communities, according to UNHCR.

Fundación MUEVE – Ecuador

Ecuador has seen an influx of Venezuelan refugees and migrants, leading to elevated levels of unemployment and economic marginalization. Fundación MUEVE is establishing a creative and digital hub focused on technological training and innovation to address these challenges. The hub will offer training in digital skills, such as 3D printing and scanning and foster a collaborative ecosystem to promote socioeconomic integration and social cohesion, according to UNHCR. Reaching more than 500 individuals, the project aims to reduce unemployment and promote economic and social inclusion through digital innovation.

Let’s Read – Jordan

In Jordan’s Zaatari Refugee Camp, educational barriers, including unreliable internet connectivity and a lack of digital resources, negatively impact refugee children’s learning and development. According to UNHCR, girls are disproportionately affected. Let’s Read is working to bridge this gap by providing easy access to learning through both technological and offline solutions. The project will create and distribute educational content via WhatsApp. Additionally, it offers personalized learning experiences through AI-based platforms, and develops offline learning resources, UNICEF reports. The project will enhance educational outcomes and boost digital literacy. It will create a resilient learning ecosystem that empowers refugees, especially girls and women, to thrive despite challenges.

Kalobeiyei Initiative 4 Better Life – Kenya

Kenya is facing a severe food crisis due to prolonged drought, affecting millions and leading to increased malnutrition rates, particularly among children and pregnant women, UNHCR reports. The Kalobeiyei Initiative 4 Better Life is addressing these food security and nutrition challenges in the Kakuma refugee community. The program is cultivating nutrient-rich sprouts in recycled plastic containers. This innovative approach not only improves food security and well-being but also provides skill-building opportunities for up to 200 individuals from both refugee and host communities, according to UNICEF. This project is helping to mitigate the impact of the food crisis on vulnerable populations through community cooperation and resilience.

Refugee-Led Innovation Fund: The Potential

The UNHCR’s Refugee-Led Innovation Fund is a transformative initiative that is redefining the role of refugees in humanitarian response. The fund is providing the necessary resources and support to unlock the potential of refugee-led organizations to drive innovation, create sustainable livelihoods and build resilient communities.

– Sumaiya Sultana

Sumaiya is based in London, UK and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Uplifting Digital Poverty in Ukraine

Digital Poverty in Ukraine Data shows us that 3.7 million people are internally displaced and nearly 6.5 million refugees are present globally from Ukraine. The destruction brought about by the war has greatly impacted the success of education, electricity, healthcare, heating, social protection and water. In 2020, research shows the digital divide wherein 53% of Ukrainians between the ages of 18 to 70 have an average level of digital skills. Additionally, 15.1% of Ukrainians do not have any digital skills at all. The destruction of infrastructure due to war, displacement of people in Ukraine and low digital skills exacerbate digital poverty in Ukraine.

Digital Poverty Alliance

Founded in 2021, Digital Poverty Alliance is an independent charity in England and Wales. It advocates for the creation of sustainable social change against digital poverty, aiming to end digital poverty for all by 2030.

Digital Poverty Alliance brings to light the vital role that digital services have in supporting disadvantaged families and children. These vulnerable groups do not have the digital means to access simple educational initiatives or resources. This prevents them from engaging in new and exciting learning opportunities. Eradicating digital poverty gives individuals access to life-changing benefits, enabling individuals to have a sufficient level playing field.

It aims to unify communities and organizations to build solutions based on evidence, behavioral science and research to create impactful results, according to its website. This organization continues to tackle digital poverty by lobbying with the government, public and other stakeholders.

Digital Poverty Alliance recognizes that initiatives are necessary to create a change in the lives of diverse communities. The organization believes that access to digital is a fundamental right irrespective of the individual’s socio-economic background. The organization aims to create innovative programs to empower communities through the use of technology.

Success Stories

Digital Poverty Alliance has donated 100 laptops to St Mary’s Ukrainian School, London. The school has played a crucial role in welcoming 780 children since the beginning of the war. It is important to recognize that 70% of its staff consists of displaced teachers. These laptops have been instrumental in educating the children and useful to the teachers in preparing the lessons and activities.

Digital Poverty Alliance’s collaboration with Vodafone to provide the Ukrainian Cultural Centre, located in London, with prepaid SIM cards to support families fleeing the war. These online services allow them to be in contact with family and friends in Ukraine. Furthermore, they are able to use the services to obtain vital information about their home country.

Looking Ahead

Digital poverty in Ukraine exacerbates existing inequalities. It hampers the education and growth of those individuals impacted by digital exclusion. It is important to recognize and support important initiatives such as that of the Digital Poverty Alliance to uplift those impacted by digital poverty in Ukraine.

– Caren Thomas

Caren is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Village Enterprise: Equipping Business Owners in Rural Rwanda

Village EnterpriseIt has been 30 years since the tragic 1994 Rwandan genocide, and Rwanda is still reeling from its aftershocks. The conflict, which claimed 800,000 civilian lives and displaced 1.5 million people, left the country’s infrastructure in ruins, with homes, schools and medical centers reduced to rubble. That year, the United Nations (U.N.) reported that the poverty rate in Rwanda peaked at 78%, rendering a significant portion of the population unable to afford necessities. Today, nearly half of all Rwandans live below the poverty line and 16% are in extreme poverty. Yet, despite these grim statistics, hope is on the horizon for sustainable economic growth.

A Strategic Partnership

The Government of Rwanda seeks to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030. A strategic partnership with civil society organizations, such as the U.S.-based NGO Village Enterprise, could support this goal. Village Enterprise specializes in entrepreneurial training in rural Africa, equipping aspiring business owners with the necessary skills and capital to get their ideas off the ground.

In the next few years, its work in Rwanda will offer more than 31,000 participating households training, startup cash ($180 per small business group of target size three households) and business mentoring to support the launch of enterprises like hairdressing, farming and bicycle repair. As such, the program is a critical component of the government’s effort to reduce unemployment and boost the national standard of living.

Village Enterprise’s Poverty Graduation Approach

Village Enterprise’s poverty graduation approach has already shown significant success. This model, designed to lift individuals from extreme poverty and give them the tools to achieve financial independence, is a game-changer. Many beneficiaries, particularly women, who comprise 82% of the program, have reported a substantial increase in income, improved living conditions and a newfound sense of agency.

Celeste Brubaker, Chief of Impact and Innovative Financing at Village Enterprise recounts speaking with program participants indelibly proud of the progress they have made and the lives they have built: “The entrepreneurs often explain how their businesses have empowered them to achieve goals such as improving their diets, sending their children to school or upgrading their homes.” Stories like these underscore the people-centered mission at the heart of the fight against extreme poverty and emphasize its outsize impact.

Bellancile’s story is a testament to the program’s efficacy. Bellancile, 42, of Butare, Rwanda, shares: “I used to believe that a woman eats because her husband works, but now I’m the one feeding my family.” Bellancile’s experience is among many. Since Village Enterprise established its presence in Rwanda in 2021, nearly 14,000 entrepreneurs and 6,000 new businesses have emerged from its entrepreneurial program, with the figures to increase in the next couple of years.

A New and Promising Contribution

On July 17, 2024, the Fund for Innovation and Development (FID), an independent body hosted by the French Development Agency (AFD), issued a $1.3 million grant to Village Enterprise. These funds, combined with a $6.5 million grant awarded to the organization by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) last year, will cofinance its initial scaling work in Rwanda.

Village Enterprise is also partnering with the Rwandan government to extend the program’s reach, seeking to raise an additional $22 million to establish an outcomes fund, which Brubaker believes will “incentivize service providers who effectively support communities and discourage participation from less effective organizations.” Increasing the organization’s capacity beyond its current operations in four Rwandan districts could enable its entrepreneurial training to serve an additional 125,000 households by 2027.

Navigating the Challenges

Overall, the country’s economic outlook is positive. The World Bank reported a 7.6% growth in gross domestic product (GDP) for the first three quarters of 2023 and anticipates significant gains in the next two years. Village Enterprise’s entrepreneurial program has played a role in the country’s economic recovery. However, challenges persist, including external shocks, limited resources, ineffective sequencing, difficulties in impact measurement and disjointed coordination.

Despite the obstacles, though, Jean Pierre Sibomana, Village Enterprise’s Rwanda Scaling Project Director, points to reasons to be optimistic: “The country is focused on sustaining livelihoods through initiatives like Ejo Heza, a pension program for especially those working in the informal sector, as well as job creation and the development of the education sector… It’s a long journey, but looking at how committed the government is, it presents hope.” Indeed, Village Enterprise’s entrepreneurial training program, bolstered by philanthropic contributions, may prove a linchpin of the government’s efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in the near future.

Maurice Nirere, Village Enterprise’s Senior Manager of Monitoring and Evaluation in Rwanda, recommends other pan-African governments follow suit. He emphasizes the importance of international collaboration, stating that by “putting in place well-designed strategies and anti-poverty policies, [governments can demonstrate] a political willingness to combat poverty and [create] a room to collaborate with international agencies.” This call for global collaboration makes aid agencies and governments part of a shared mission and fosters a sense of shared responsibility.

Looking Ahead

Village Enterprise’s progress in Rwanda has made a tangible impact, changing lives and stabilizing rural areas embroiled in extreme poverty. Emerance of Rulindo, Rwanda, has forged a path to success and independence with the organization’s support. She and her business partners, Lucie and Domithile, are now not merely surviving but providing for their families in ways they never imagined possible. Their tenacity and even the name of their business, “Bright Future,” signal prosperous days ahead for thousands across Rwanda.

– Natalie Kaufman

Natalie is based in Orlando, FL, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr